Malaysia arranging to bring home three remaining Abu Sayyaf hostages

KOTA KINABALU — Malaysia’s federal police are taking charge to fly home the remaining three Malaysian sailors rescued from their Abu Sayyaf kidnappers, Sabah police chief Commissioner Ramli Din said on Tuesday (March 28).

Mr Fandy Bakran, 27, Mr Mohd Jumadil Rahim 24, and Mr Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 33, who spent the last eight months as captives in Jolo, are currently in the custody of Philippine police following their rescue on Sunday.

“Bukit Aman is arranging for their return, and like previously they will be flown to KL first to go through some procedure like documentation. We will also fly their family members there to meet them,” he said, adding that he does not have the dates of their return yet.

The three were part of a crew of five who were taken from a tug boat in Dent Haven, Lahad Datu, July 18 last year.

Two other sailors, Mr Abd Rahim Summas, 62, and Mr Tayudin Anjut, 45, were rescued in waters off Jolo last week and are in Kuala Lumpur undergoing medical treatment.

Mr Ramli said that the ongoing military operations in Southern Philippines would benefit the security situation in Sabah.

“The crackdown will most definitely bring some positive effects here and help reduce the number of cross border crimes including kidnap-for-ransom activities. It will be safer for us,” he said

However, he also said security authorities are aware of the threat of militants looking to escape to Sabah to escape prosecution and have informed border control activities.

“We will have to take more precautions and our border controls are ready to tackle the possibility of a ripple effect.

“We will tighten security at the border following the operations in Philippines,” he said.  MALAY MAIL ONLINE